A race against time: How a shepherd’s quick thinking saved a village in Pakistan from a sudden, devastating flood.

Paraguay: Red Cross strengthens neonatal care to protect mothers and newborns

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, held each year, reminds us that the protection and well-being of women and children must be prioritised in all settings. This includes the right to access affordable, safe, quality healthcare during pregnancy, childbirth and the neonatal period.In Paraguay, the pioneering work of the Red Cross's Reina Sofía Hospital is a prime example of how investing in maternal and neonatal health can help to prevent gender-based violence.The Reina Sofía Hospital is a historic pillar of maternal and child health in Paraguay. It was the country's first premature care centre and the first to have neonatal intensive care. It receives pregnant women from all over the country and delivers around 2,200 babies each year, 8–10 per cent of whom are born prematurely.However, the neonatal unit had been working with minimal equipment and obsolete devices.Therefore, to improve infrastructure and technology, the Paraguayan Red Cross accessed the IFRC Capacity Building Fund, which enabled the complete remodelling of the inpatient rooms and the acquisition of two new ultrasound machines for the diagnostic area.These improvements will enhance the care provided to pregnant women, newborns and premature babies, minimising risks and ensuring safer, more protective environments.Yenny Benítez, president of the Paraguayan Red Cross, summarises the impact:“The Paraguayan Red Cross is proud to say that we are raising the standards of our hospital to provide better and better care for mothers and their children.”To prevent gender-based violence, mothers must also be protectedAccess to safe and respectful obstetric care is an essential component of preventing gender-based violence, especially obstetric violence.Thanks to an agreement signed with Paraguay's Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, the neonatal therapy rooms have also been equipped with new ventilators, light therapy devices, and incubators. These improvements enable an adequate response to neonatal emergencies and protecting the lives of mothers and newborns, especially in cases of premature birth or respiratory complications.With almost 30 years of service at the institution, Head of Neonatology Dr. Marta Bareiro recalls the hospital's history:“This is a hospital with a long history of maternal and neonatal care. It used to be a premature baby ward, the first premature baby center in Paraguay. Later, it was also the first place to offer neonatal intensive care, and we were also the first hospital certified as mother- and child-friendly.”The center has intensive and intermediate care units, shared accommodation to strengthen the mother-infant bond, a clinic for healthy children, and specialized follow-up care for premature babies. It also promotes community first aid knowledge through trained volunteers from the Paraguayan Red Cross.Testimonials of protectionThe experiences of women treated at Reina Sofia Hospital demonstrate the importance of a safe environment and quality care in ensuring the emotional and physical well-being of mothers and newborns.Mirtha Alfonso, who gave birth in 1986, fondly recalls how her son was born:“He was born on 16 August 1986 here at the Red Cross. I was going to have a normal delivery, but it didn't work out, so I had a caesarean section. Then he went to intensive care. It wasn't so simple because the wards were full. Thankfully, though, one of the children was moved to intermediate care, so a crib became available.”Mirtha even donated breast milk to babies whose mothers were unable to breastfeed."When my baby was transferred to intermediate care, I was finally able to hold him and breastfeed him," Mirtha recalls, becoming emotional again. "I remember it so clearly, and it still makes me emotional. It was the first time I held my baby, and I cried with joy."Liz Marlene Ayala, a mother of two who was pregnant as a teenager, says she chose the Paraguayan Red Cross because she received understanding and dignified treatment there.“I was very young, and one of the things that made me continue my treatment here was the way I was treated. I was 16 in 2000 and came here for my consultation because of how they treated teenagers.”Having returned more than 15 years later, she recognises the improvements in infrastructure and technology, as well as the respect and warmth of the healthcare team, which has remained unchanged over the years.Hospital and Paraguayan Red Cross staff also work with the Ministry of Health on campaigns promoting sexual and reproductive health, preventing cancer in women, tackling addiction and epidemics, and encouraging voluntary blood donation.Providing care with empathy, active listening, support, and ensuring adequate technology are all ways of protecting women, girls, and newborns.In Paraguay and around the world, the IFRC network will continue to promote safe, violence-free healthcare environments, so that every mother and baby receives the care they deserve from day one.Such investments therefore play a critical role in preventing what is often referred to as “obstetric violence”, in which women are subjected to inadequate care, neglect or mistreatment in facilities involved in reproductive healthcare.

Protecting the Amazonian cocoa: innovation, science and early warning from the Ecuadorian Red Cross

In the Ecuadorian Amazon, where the rainforest is integrated into every aspect of life and culture, cacao is more than just a crop; it is a source of sustenance and a tradition.Ecuador is the world's third-largest exporter of fine aroma cocoa, a product that sweetens our palates, drives the local economy, and supports thousands of families in the Zamora Chinchipe region of the Amazon, near the border with Peru.However, cocoa crops are under threat from climate change and phenomena such as El Niño. In major cocoa-exporting countries such as Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, extreme rainfall and prolonged droughts have led to the emergence of pests that have wiped out entire plantations.When plantations are lost, chocolate production declines, poverty increases, and food security is compromised. In this multi-threat scenario, timely information and anticipation can mean the difference between losing or saving a crop.To protect cocoa in the Amazon rainforest, two young volunteers from the Ecuadorian Red Cross branch in Zamora Chinchipe have combined science, innovation and local knowledge to design an Early Warning System to help cocoa-growing families anticipate risks and plan preventive actions.One of the two young women who promoted this initiative is Josselyn Balcázar. She is very clear about the problems facing cocoa-producing communities:‘The problem we identified is the vulnerability of cocoa producers due to the empirical management of their plantations, which does not take into account meteorological measurements in the context of climate change impacts,’ she explains.Technology to the rescue of cocoaThis Early Warning System is called SATHEOBROMA, which refers to theobroma, the scientific name for the cocoa plant. The project was launched in 2023 thanks to the Limitless programme of the Solferino Academy.‘It is a mini weather station that records precipitation, temperature, humidity and other variables daily. This information helps producers to understand when pests are likely to appear, enabling them to take appropriate measures and avoid losing their crops,’ explains Verónica Andrade, national climate change adaptation technician at the Ecuadorian Red Cross.The information is analysed to detect conditions that favour the proliferation of pests such as the well-known monilia, which can destroy entire plantations.While the initiative cannot stop the rains or prevent droughts, it does enable action to be taken before the problem escalates into a disaster. Producers receive alerts so they can act quickly and prevent losses from spreading.‘It's crucial to bring this technology to the field because without local information, we can't prevent problems,’ says Oswaldo Castillo, a Shuar cocoa technician.‘This is a very important initiative so that we can take timely action and avoid low yields,’ says Bolívar Flores, a local producer.A pilot version of the system was installed on one farm to demonstrate its functionality, before being expanded to two more farms. The Ecuadorian Red Cross plans to roll it out more widely in future to benefit additional cocoa-producing communities in the area.The initiative has even caught the interest of local institutions.'With the support of technology and technical assistance, we must prepare so that, when effects occur, we can mitigate and counteract them,' said Karla Reátegui, Prefect of Zamora Chinchipe.'From the prefecture, we also reaffirm our willingness to coordinate actions that will allow us to continue expanding the benefits to more farms and producers,' she concluded.Climate change will continue to present challenges, but with tools such as SATHEOBROMA, agricultural families are not alone.In a world where weather events are increasingly unpredictable, early warning systems are essential for ensuring food security and enabling communities to adapt.This initiative demonstrates that involving communities in decision-making allows us to identify and plan preventive measures, prepare for and respond effectively to multiple crises and disasters, and ensure that resources are directed to those who need them most.

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The Gambia: Medicines and a vital alliance against malaria

In the Kombo North district of The Gambia’s West Coast Region, the rainy season has just ended, yet its impacts remain visible. Along the road leading to several villages, tall grass and pools of stagnant water create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, the vectors of malaria.On an early afternoon in Sinthiou Sory, the Bah family gathers under the shade of a tree to escape the oppressive heat. Mariama Bah, her youngest son resting on her lap, watches as a community health worker prepares to administer the boy’s second dose of anti-malaria medication.“I had been informed of their visit, and I was determined to be here so my child could receive his dose,” she says.For Mariama, like for thousands of other mothers across The Gambia, this simple act is a vital shield in a country where children under five bear the heaviest burden of malaria.This scene is repeated in many households across Kombo North during the second cycle of the seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaign. It is an essential intervention in a country where malaria remains endemic.The power of awareness-raisingLong before any dose is administered, Gambian Red Cross volunteers were mobilized in extensive awareness-raising efforts and community engagement.“Dozens of volunteers have been trained and deployed for this campaign. They move from house to house, sharing accurate information, dispelling misconceptions, and encouraging parents to ensure that no child is left behind,” explains Alieu Jammeh, Malaria Project Manager at the Gambian Red Cross. “Their work is reinforced by awareness caravans circulating through streets and public spaces.”For Alimathou Diadhiou, local supervisor of the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), awareness-raising is essential “Without proper sensitization, we risk missing children because of simple misunderstandings or rumours,” she says. When reluctance is detected, it is reported to the supervisor, who then steps in alongside Red Cross volunteers to address concerns directly.A collaborative approach that is delivering results.“Thanks to this teamwork, reluctance is almost always resolved in the end,” says Alimathou Diadhiou. “In Sinthiou Sory, we have achieved more than 90 per cent of our coverage target.”An international partnership serving communitiesThe campaign is part of the Accelerating Malaria Elimination in The Gambia project, implemented by theIFRC and theGambia Red Cross Society,funded by China’s Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDSSCF). This initiative strengthens the Gambian government's efforts to achieve its goal of eliminating malaria.“Every dose administered is a concrete victory in the fight against malaria,” says Dr. Mame Diarra Faye, Health Programme Manager at the IFRC. “With the leadership of the Gambian government and the support of the Gambia Red Cross Society,the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), and other partners, we can and will make malaria elimination a reality.”

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Early action in Yemen: How Red Crescent volunteers protected families from the floods

When heavy rains swept across Abs district in Yemen’s Hajjah governorate last August, thousands of internally displaced families - uprooted by conflict and living in fragile shelters - found themselves exposed within minutes.Tents collapsed, roofs made of lightweight materials disintegrated, and families woke up surrounded by mud and rising water with nowhere to go.For many, the night felt endless. For some, it was life-threatening."It was very intense and very frightening." — A father’s night of fearHadi Mohammed Shaer Al-Aslami recounts the fear:"The rain was heavy and frightening. From 9 at night until 3 in the morning, it didn’t stop. It felt like a hurricane, extremely scary. I was holding onto the door with my young son next to me, crying. My mother’s shelter collapsed completely over her head. We never know how strong the rains will be each year, but this year, they were very intense and very frightening."Early preparedness supported by IFRC-DREFIn the days before the heaviest rains, Yemen Red Crescent Society (YRCS) teams had already been monitoring alerts, identifying at-risk areas, and encouraging families to move away from flood channels.These steps - supported by IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) - helped position teams and materials closer to high-risk communities.Dr. Ahmed Abdulkarim Nassar, Executive Director of YRCS in Hajjah, explains: "We were able to anticipate the disaster. We prepared our teams and identified the communities most at risk. We didn’t wait, we acted early."A race against rising waterWhen the rain intensified overnight, volunteers moved immediately. Thanks in part to the DREF allocation, YRCS teams reached displacement sites within the first hour, while the flooding was still unfolding."The response was quick and humane. Our teams were distributing relief items, providing first aid, and setting up temporary shelter," Dr. Ahmed recalls.Across the district, the destruction was severe.Volunteer Nasser Al-Adba'i describes: "Homes were destroyed and many families had nothing left. People were in the open, without shelter or food."YRCS was the only actor able to reach the sites in time."We were the only ones in the field at the right moment. We assessed the needs and started distributions right away," he says.Volunteers standing by familiesPreparedness measures taken days earlier, including awareness sessions, simple protective barriers to divert floodwater, and helping families move away from dangerous flood paths, reduced the impact in several high-risk areas."These early steps really helped," Nasser says.Volunteer Jaradah Abdullah recalls how a small protective barrier built earlier prevented an entire displacement site from being swept away: "Without it, we could have lost lives, not just homes."Shelter, cash, and relief for families who lost everythingYRCS volunteers worked around the clock to provide emergency shelter materials, transitional tents, mattresses, blankets, and cash assistance to help affected families buy food and essential items.Volunteer Lina Mohjib says: "The damage was huge, but the support gave people hope again. Without shelter and cash assistance, many would have had to leave the area completely."Volunteer Khaled Sultan also recalls families sleeping in the open, waiting for help: "People were outside with no shelter and no food. We were able to provide transitional shelters during those first days to protect them from the ongoing rains."Local action, strengthened by timely supportThe August floods in Abs highlighted the importance of local presence, early preparedness, and fast mobilization. Volunteers - many from the same communities affected - moved quickly to reach those in greatest danger.As Dr. Ahmed reflects: "This response strengthened our confidence in our ability to protect people early, before the situation becomes a tragedy."Preparedness and early action like this save lives.To see how the IFRC and its member National Societies help communities act before hazards turn into disasters, explore:• Early warning, early action at IFRC• How the IFRC-DREF supports rapid local response

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IFRC Secretary General at United Nations: Humanitarian ‘reset’ requires the sector to be ‘as local as possible, as international as necessary’

Under discussion was what the humanitarian sector should do to reform at a time of deep cuts in humanitarian funding and mounting needs. [A video of the session can be found here, with remarks from the IFRC Secretary General appearingat about 1 hour 30 minutes into the video]."Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. Thank you, Tom [Fletcher,Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs], for that great introduction and wonderful speech earlier.On your question [from the moderator, “What do you hope will be key elements of the approach to humanitarian work after the reset?] of course, you heard a lot on the sort of collective reset that Tom had been talking about in the morning, and just now. I would like to share a perspective from IFRC.ListeningAlready late last year, we had initiated the process of listening even before the current funding crisis became so prominent. Because what we believe is that it's extremely important for the organizations to have that humility on a regular basis, to have that check, that whether we are up to date or not. It's not about being good or bad.I think as the Red Cross, I believe we have always been very good, but there are always opportunities to gain efficiency, cost-effectiveness and [extend the] reach of our program.And as part of that process, we listened to more than 2,000 voices, more than half of them from the local communities. And there are a few ideas emerging which very much align with the Reset process we have been discussing, more broadly as a humanitarian sector.Deepen localization and accountabilityOne of the first things that came out from that is that the humanitarian system after the reset would be very local, but it is local with accountability, and the accountability, not in the sense of just pushing the risks to the local actors, for sharing the risk, but delivering in an accountable manner.And it's really about the decision-making at the local level. And I think the colleague from Afghanistan [a previous speaker], what she said is that you don't need to push us from abroad. We're already there. And somehow, we have this notion that we need to put the local actor in the front. No, they're already there. We need to follow them. And I think we need to have the courage to follow the local actors who are already there.And also, we do need, you know, as IFRC, we have been championing the localization, we also believe that the global solidarity is needed in many places. But when we do that global solidarity, I think it's really, really important that now we walk the talk: both the donors' community and us as the international organization.We [donors and agencies of Grand Bargain] committed 25 per cent of the internationally mobilized funding that goes to the local actors — we have received only 2 per cent collectively.That must not be good enough for us. Otherwise, we'll keep on talking. So, this is in our hands to change that, nobody is stopping us to make that happen. So, let's make that happen. And just to share with you, colleagues, that in the IFRC we are going to step up that target to 75 per cent. We will not be satisfied with 25 per cent. That's the push we want to make.Sharpen humanitarian focus and collaborationNow, the second message that is coming is, I think, the humanitarian system and as an organization, I think we've got to have more collaboration, as you said Tom, no silos, no egos.But at the same time, we also need to be much more conscious about our own mission creeps. Sometimes we establish complicated coordination mechanisms. And maybe those were not needed if we are not doing the mission creep ourselves.We do mission creeps, and it becomes complicated. We overlap each other, then we create a complicated mechanism to say that: “Oh, actually we should not be doing the mission creeps.”So, I think we need that focus, humanitarian focus. Humanitarian focus and really, really be the discipline… ourselves, so that the Tom’s life becomes very easy and maybe not needed. I think, I think if we can make jobs — Tom's job redundant — we would have succeeded! And we do need to diversify our financing approaches and models. And I think in IFRC, we are taking some really innovative financing modalities, but we have to take it to scale.Redouble humanitarian diplomacy efforts to influence humanitarian causesThird one is the real issue around management diplomacy: around how we preserve, how we preserve our medical space? How do we protect our humanitarian workers? How do we uphold our principles and the international norms? And I think collectively, again, we have to push for this. So, our call to the government, to the states: I think you really have to uphold your friends accountable, as much as you do to your foes.In the current system, the system jumps very much to hold your foes accountable, not always your friends accountable. And for me, until and unless we have the courage to held our friends accountable, we will not overcome the sense of impunity that we are seeing around the world. And I think the discipline that we need from the humanitarian workers is that we should not pretend to be the placing responsibility of the states.Most of the crisis that we are seeing now and the pressure on the humanitarian organizations is growing because there haven’t been many political solutions to many of the crises we are dealing with now. Until and unless there are political solutions to these crises, the humanitarians even if we get 200 billion, we will not be able to address those issues. There must be political solutions.Accelerate digital transformation and ethical adoption of AINow the fourth is we are also living in a digital age. So, I think we as an organization, as a humanitarian system, we also have to adapt to digitalization and ethical adoption of artificial intelligence. And this my son asked me to put that in – he is an artificial intelligence student!An organization that delivers more effectively and efficiently with a culture for transformationAnd then finally… Finally, I think it’s extremely important that we as an organization have the capacity and the culture of transformation. The days of 5 years plans, and 10 years plans are gone. Things are changing so rapidly, even the 1-year plans are no longer relevant.You have to update your plan already less than 6 months. And we can address that only because the reset humanitarian system has both culture and capacity of transformation, and that humility I talked about before. Changing or accepting the weakness is not the wrong thing. It’s not weakness, it’s strength. Only strong people, strong organization, has the ability to do that.True Reset = LocalSo, colleagues, we are here with different rules, experiences, and perspectives, but with only one shared interest.Tom, I am repeating you: how we can work together to better serve our humanity. If we are serious about transforming the humanitarian response, then we must be serious about shifting power, resources, and responsibility - closer to the people we aim to serve. That means local.Local. Local and Local.But local with global solidarity. As local as possible, as international as necessary. So, a true humanitarian reset, from the perspective of IFRC, is threefold: leading with humanity, acting with foresight, and delivering with accountability. All that comes best with local at the core. Thank you so much."

Cape Verde: Red Cross helps flood-affected communities recover and rebuild

Four months ago, the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão in Cape Verde were hit by torrential rains brought by Tropical Storm Erin. Within hours, streets turned into raging torrents, sweeping away everything in their path.Thousands of homes and critical infrastructure were destroyed or severely damaged. Without strong national and international solidarity, and a rapid, coordinated response, many affected families would not have been able to cope with the impact.In Bela Vista, one of the hardest-hit neighbourhoods of Covada de Bruxa in São Vicente, the visible signs of the floods have slowly faded, but the invisible scars remain.Beyond the appearance of a return to normalcy, thousands of families continue to grapple with the long-term impacts of the disaster, struggling each day to rebuild their lives and restore their dignity.“When the flooding began, I wasn’t at home,” recalls Vera Lucia Andrade, a mother of six and a street vendor. “I ran back to try to save my child, who had stayed behind, and a few belongings, but the water was already everywhere.”A vital emergency responseIn the immediate aftermath of the floods, the Cape Verde Red Cross, supported by the IFRC, sprang into action. Hundreds of volunteers worked alongside local authorities to assist affected communities.The IFRC launched anemergency appeal for 3 million Swiss francs and mobilized 565,000 Swiss francs from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Cape Verde Red Cross in assisting those affected. Specialized teams, including Emergency Response Units (ERUs), were also deployed to strengthen the response.So far, more than 1,000 families have received assistance, including food kits and essential household items, while over 470 families have benefited from health support. Hygiene promotion activities have also reached more than 8,400 people, helping communities safeguard their health and well-being.Supporting the recovery of the most vulnerable familiesAs the emergency phase gradually transitions to recovery, efforts are now focused on restoring livelihoods. Some 580 households in São Vicente and Santo Antão have begun receiving cash assistance of 26,000 Cape Verdean escudos (CVE), or 235 euros, to help meet their basic needs.For Vera Lucia, head of household, this support is vital.“I truly appreciate the support from the Red Cross,”she says. “As a street vendor, I had not been able to work since the floods. With the money I received, I will be able to restart and expand my small business and provide for my family. I also hope later to build a protective wall behind my house to better withstand future floods.”Beyond cash assistance, the Cape Verde Red Cross, with support from the IFRC, is also helping to rehabilitate community water supply systems severely damaged by the floods in Santo Antão. Restoring these infrastructures is essential to prevent the risk of waterborne diseases and strengthen community resilience.“Here in Ribeira Da Cruz, people rely for potable water from the spring water catchment which has hardly affected,”says Vincenzo Buccheri, Team Leader of the ERU Water Supply Rehabilitation. “Thanks to our Cash for Work program, the community is rehabilitating infrastructure without the need for external contractors,”“We provide the materials, while residents, 50 per cent men and 50 per cent women, carry out the work themselves. This approach not only strengthens community resilience but also ensures sustainable ownership of the infrastructure.”Maintaining the momentum of solidarityFor Julio Mondlane, IFRC Operations Manager in Cape Verde, transitioning from emergency response to recovery requires sustained commitment.“The emergency response met the immediate needs of many communities,”he says. “Now, our priority is to help families recover sustainably and restore their livelihoods, while strengthening the Country Early Warning Early Actions Systems. This takes time, resources, and continued support from donors and partners. Without it, the most vulnerable communities risk remaining trapped in the crisis.”

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IFRC calls for stronger regional solidarity as humanitarian needs continue to rise in Asia Pacific

Kuala Lumpur, 29 January 2026: As we conclude our Annual Regional Strategic Coordination Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, one message is unmistakably clear: solidarity across our Red Cross and Red Crescent network has never been more vital. Asia Pacific is the most disaster-affected region in the world. Communities across the region are facing more frequent and severe floods, cyclones and heatwaves, rising displacement, and overlapping vulnerabilities. At the same time, humanitarian needs are growing while funding continues to shrink. This widening gap between needs and resources is placing unprecedented pressure on local responders and the communities they serve.Over the past three days, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies came together to reflect on these realities and look ahead. We discussed regional risks, emerging humanitarian needs, and shared priorities for the year to come. We examined how local Red Cross Red Crescent Societies can better prepare and respond to disasters, how the climate crisis impacts are reshaping humanitarian action, and how Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are increasingly leading responses both at home and in support of sister organisations in other countries.What emerged clearly from these discussions was a shared understanding that no single organisation can meet today’s humanitarian challenges alone: National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies must deepen cooperation within our own global network, while also working closely with like-minded partners. Solidarity: practical, operational, and financial, is the foundation of our collective strength. Helping your neighbours is not humanitarianism; it’s a basic decency. Humanitarianism is helping strangers. That spirit of mutual support across borders defines the Red Cross and Red Crescent, and it will sustain us in the years ahead.Despite mounting pressures, the IFRC network remains committed to being local, everywhere. In many crises, Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff are among the first to respond and the last to leave. Increasingly, they are the only humanitarians still present as others scale down. This reality demands that we work smarter, coordinate better, and ensure limited resources are used where they can have the greatest impact.The IFRC’s Global Plan for 2026 reflects this approach. With a funding requirement of 3.4 billion Swiss francs, it prioritises locally led action, strengthens National Society leadership, and channels most internationally mobilised resources to the national level. Investment in local capacity is not only more cost-effective — it is essential for sustainable humanitarian response.What gives me hope is the strength of this region’s National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Several National Societies that once received international assistance are now leading responses in their own countries and supporting neighbours across borders. This solidarity extends beyond the region, with long-standing partner National Societies continuing to show true comradeship by standing with sister organizations when they need to support most. This is humanitarianism at its best — not saviourism, but shared purpose, grounded in dignity, mutual support and respect for local leadership.As we conclude this meeting, we do so with renewed determination. The challenges ahead are immense, but so is the collective strength of our Red Cross and Red Crescent family. In a time of shrinking resources and growing humanitarian needs, solidarity is not just a commitment — it is how we will continue to deliver for communities across Asia Pacific. We call on like-minded partners to stand with us in this shared endeavour, so that assistance continues to reach those who need it most.Alexander Matheou, IFRC Regional Director for Asia Pacific.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Kuala Lumpur: Afrhill Rances +60 19 271 3641

IFRC mourns the killing of one Iranian Red Crescent colleague

Tehran/Beirut/Geneva, 14 January 2026: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is deeply saddened by the killing of Amir Ali Latifi, an Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) staff member, and the wounding of five other IRCS colleagues, who were all in the line of duty in Gillan province, on 10 January 2026.The IFRC expresses its sincere condolences to his family, loved ones, and all IRCS colleagues.We stand in solidarity with the Iranian Red Crescent Society and all medical and humanitarian workers providing life-saving assistance during this difficult time. Humanitarian workers must be protected.The Iranian Red Crescent Society is a humanitarian organization and part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, operating in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of Humanity, Neutrality, Impartiality and Independence.The safety and protection of humanitarian personnel, as well as respect for the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems, are essential to ensure the continued delivery of impartial, life-saving assistance to people in need.The IFRC is deeply concerned about the consequences of the ongoing unrest on the people of Iran and is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Iranian Red Crescent Society.For more information: [email protected] BeirutMey Al Sayegh, +961 761 744 68   In GenevaTommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 43 67   

Faster, closer, safer: Local action backed by global solidarity.